ILYLTF #5 (Chapter 145 - Page 110) - Page 18

Looking forward to the engagement and marriage of Armaan Riddhima 

Also want to see How they keep coming closer and closer at emotional level. Also now that Riddhima is more comfortable with Armaan ok physical level would love to be see if anything changes (in positive way) between them. Ie Armaan taking all chances to come close to his basket and missing sleeping next to her etc

This content was originally posted by: pari0706

Looking forward to the engagement and marriage of Armaan Riddhima 

Also want to see How they keep coming closer and closer at emotional level. Also now that Riddhima is more comfortable with Armaan ok physical level would love to be see if anything changes (in positive way) between them. Ie Armaan taking all chances to come close to his basket and missing sleeping next to her etc

Armaan toh aise bhi koi mauka nahi sochta. He's always looking for excuses to get close to Riddhima. But now that they're gonna get married (soon, I think), we'll definitely see them share more with each other. It'll be so great! <3

Waiting for next part..a long one🤗🤗🤗😍😍

This content was originally posted by: sana_ksgian

Waiting for next part..a long one🤗🤗🤗😍😍

Hahahahaha. Yeah. I'm writing writing. Hopefully it'll be up soon. :))))

hi, srry 2 b bothr bt requestng u 2 updt wen u can. Hv grown close 2 dis ff.luking frwrd 2 ar scene nd also missng atuul anjli ND abi nikki

This content was originally posted by: sakshidmg

hi, srry 2 b bothr bt requestng u 2 updt wen u can. Hv grown close 2 dis ff.luking frwrd 2 ar scene nd also missng atuul anjli ND abi nikki

I always update as soon as I'm able to. Trying to update ASAP.

This content was originally posted by: Batul22

Update soon...<3<3<3

Haan, yaar. Writing it rn. Will update ASAP.

This content was originally posted by: DMGThings

I always update as soon as I'm able to. Trying to update ASAP.

Tx u mam. Sry 2 b bothr.

Previously On...

AR & RM spend sometime in Kasauli. They convince Bi to come to Mumbai with them.

Chapter 93

They reached Mumbai in the evening, at around 6pm. Abhi picked them up at the airport, all smiles and hugs. 

"Hey!" Abhi greeted them. "Nice trip?" He asked, hugging Riddhima. 

"It was awesome!" She replied. 

Abhi then hugged Rahul, Muskaan, and Armaan, before touching Bi's feet and seeking her blessings. "Kaisi hain aap, Bi?" He asked her. 

"Main toh bilkul f se fit hu. T se tu kaisa hai? Aur woh N for Nikki? Theek haina?" Bi fired questions. 

"Main toh bilkul badhiya hu, Bi. Aur aapki Nikki bhi theek hai," Abhi replied. 

He helped them all into Armaan's Scorpio, taking the wheel because Armaan was really tired and in no mood to drive. Armaan & Riddhima dozed off in the car, not having gotten proper sleep the night before because they'd been talking. It seemed like these days, they suddenly had so much to talk about, and these talks never seemed to end. Despite spending most of the night talking, they'd spoken in hushed whispers almost throughout the flight, too. No wonder they were tired. 

They were all surprised when he took them to his house instead of dropping them off at their respective homes. 

"Abhi, hum sabko yahaan kyu laaya hai?" Armaan asked once he woke up. 

"Tum sab bohot thake hue lag rahe ho. Aur main bhi kaafi tired hu. Kal hospital mein bohot kaam tha. Ab sabko alag se chodne ki patience nahi hai mere andar. Aur mera ghar sabse paas tha, toh ab sab thode time ke liye yahin ruk jaao. Fir dinner ke baad dekhenge," he replied. 

“Good idea,” Muskaan jumped in. “Mujhe toh bas ab sona hai!”

“Muskaan, tujhe kitna sona hota hai?” Armaan asked. “Poori flight pe bhi so rahi thi. Aur raat mein bhi jaldi sone chali gayi thi. Abhi aur sona hai?”

“Abbe! Toh tera kya jaata hai? Meri neend, mera mann, mujhe jo karna hoga main karungi. Tujhe kya problem hai?” Muskaan shouted.

"Bhadakti kyu hai? Main toh bas pooch raha tha!" He replied. 

"Mat pooch!" Muskaan cribbed. 

"Arre… Par…" Armaan started, only to be shut up by Muskaan. 

"Chup reh!!" She scolded. Turning to Riddhima, she said, "Ridzy… Tu isse samjha de ki faltu mein mera dimaag kharab na kare warna achcha nahi hoga."

Riddhima gave her a placating look. 

"Tu… Tu Riddhima ko beech mein kyu laa rahi hai? Hum baat kar rahe haina?" Armaan questioned. 

"Armaan!" Riddhima whisper shouted, pulling him back. "Please… Chup ho jao. Bin matlab kyu ladna?"

"Bina matlab? Arre… Maine toh kuch kiya bhi nahi! Yeh Muskaan hi faltu mein gussa ho rahi hai," Armaan whined. 

"Toh usse aur gussa kyu dila rahe ho?" Riddhima asked. 

"Lekin main…" Armaan tried to defend himself. 

"Keep quiet!" Riddhima ordered. 

Armaan nodded, sulking. "Fine!"

"Good boy," Riddhima praised, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek making him smile.

Abhi watched the entire interaction through the rear view mirror and shook his head fondly at the antics of his friends. They all behaved like 5 year olds and not the 25 year olds that they were. He didn't think they'd ever act their age either. Lovable idiots, the lot of them. 

"Samaan nikaal lein?" He asked the boys, wanting to divert the discussion and not give Armaan and Muskaan more reasons to fight.

"Samaan kyu nikaalna hai, yaar?" Armaan questioned. "Yahaan settle thodi hone waale hain? Dinner ke baad chale jaayenge."

"Woh… Uh… Woh… Actually… Baat yeh hai ki… Uh… Woh… Main…" Abhi fumbled.

"Woh main main main kya?" Armaan asked. 

"Main keh raha tha ki… You know… Kya keh raha tha? Haan… Yeh keh raha tha… Ki agar… Tum… Tum logon ko… Uh… Fresh hona ho toh? Apna samaan toh lagega na. Toh… Uh… Le chalte hain upar. Just in case," Abhi replied. 

Before Armaan could say anything, Rahul jumped in. "Ha… Haan. Go - go - good idea, Abhi. Mujhe toh bohot buri tarah se shower lena hai."

"Haan… Muj… Mujhe bhi fresh hona hai," Muskaan agreed. "Hum samaan le hi chalte hain."

Armaan looked at trio suspiciously before shrugging. "Fine."

So, the boys took all the luggage out of the car and they made their way to Abhi & Nikki's.

“By the way, Armaan,” Abhi said casually. “Tere liye ek surprise hai.”

“Mere liye?” Armaan asked, confused.

“Haan. Tere liye. Tera hi naam liya na maine abhi?” Abhi replied sarcastically.

“Tu mujhe kyu surprise de raha hai?” Armaan continued. After a second, he added, “OH MY GOD! Abhi! Tu kahin mujhe aisa waisa toh nahi samajhta na? Matlab… I agree ki tu mera dost hai, aur dikhne mein bhi dhang ka hai, lekin iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki main tere saath… Kuch toh sharam kar! Teri shaadi ho gayi hai. Woh bhi meri best friend se. Baby bhi hone waala hai. Aur meri bhi shaadi hone waali hai! Aur tu ab yeh sab kar raha hai? Sheee! Tujhse yeh umeed nahi thi. Main clear kardu, ki main achche khaandaan ka shareef ladka hu. Yeh sab zaleel harkatein nahi karta!”

All the while, Abhi looked at him with a murderous expression on his face. “Shut up, Armaan! Bakwaas mat kar!”

“Baskwaas? Yeh sab tujhe bakwaas lag rahi hai? Arre… mere dil ki baat hai. Aur tu isse bakwaas keh raha hai?” 

“Tu chod, yaar. Mujhe baksh de. Tujhse toh baat karna hi bekaar hai!” Abhi cribbed. 

“Toh karta kyu hai?” Armaan replied. “Main toh maraa nahi jaa raha tujhse baat karne.”

“Tujhe kya lagta hai? Mujhe bohot shauk hai tujhse baat karne ka?” Abhi fired back sarcastically. He rung the doorbell. “Ek toh tera achcha socha. Usme bhi tujhe problem hai.”

“Mera kya achcha socha?” Armaan questioned.

“Tere liye surprise arrange kiya maine, toh achcha nahi socha kya?” Abhi replied. The door opened by then. A beautiful middle aged lady stood there with a beaming smile on her face.

Any retort that Armaan had died in his throat when he saw her. “VANI AUNTY!” He shrieked, hugging her tight. The woman, Vani, laughed at his exuberance and hugged him back. She’d always liked him. 

“How are you? Itne dino se baat hi nahi hui!” Armaan asked.

“Main toh ekdum theek hu. Tu kaisa hai?” She questioned.

“Superb!” Armaan replied.

“Aap yahaan darwaaze pe hi saara din nikaal denge ya andar bhi chalenge?” Nikki asked sarcastically. She’d come to see what was taking so long only to find the duo hugging in the doorway still. “Armaan ko ghar ke andar bhi hug kar sakte ho, Mom,” she added.

“Oho!” Armaan tutted. “Fir teri taunting shuru ho gayi. Itna jealous kyu hoti hai, Nik? I’ve told you so many times. Aunty loves you also. She just thinks I’m more charming and fun than you are.”

“Shut up, Armaan!” Nikki scolded. “Faltu mein mera dimaag mat kharab kar, samjha?”

“Tere paas dimaag hai jo main kharab karu?” Armaan retorted. 

Nikki stepped forward, ready to hit him, but her mother held her back. “Stop it, Nikki! Dekh woh itni lambi journey se aaya hai. Ghar ke andar toh aane de.”

“Haan, haan, Mom. You always have to side with him na, chahe kuch bhi ho,” Nikki complained. “You don’t love me anymore!”

Armaan smirked and was about to say something that would no doubt rile Nikki up more, but Riddhima placed a restricting hand on his arm, stopping him. “Stop it, Armaan,” she commanded. “Tum ab Nikki se kuch nahi kahoge. Samjhe?”

“Arre, par… Basket!” Armaan whined. 

“Shut up, Armaan!” Riddhima repeated. 

Nikki started laughing loudly as Armaan nodded his head like a little kid and took a little step back. “Very good, Ridzy! I’m proud of you. Iss idiot ke saath aise hi baat karni chahiye.” Turning to Armaan, she added, “Usse bolna ab. Mujhe toh bohot sunaa raha tha!”

“Armaan, Nikki, Riddhima, tum sab ka ho gaya ho toh please ghar ke andar chalein? Ya bas saara din bahaar khade rakhoge?” Abhi asked them, miffed.

“Haan, Abhi,” Vani agreed. “Chalo, andar aa jao sabke sab. Tum logon ki bekaar behes mein bechaari Bi ko bhi itne time se pareshaan hona pad raha hai.”

Everyone nodded sheepishly and made their way inside the house. Vani greeted Bi warmly, hugging her tight. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, probably since Nikki had left Kasauli. But, Vani had always been very thankful to her for looking after Nikki the way that she had while Nikki was there. After hugging Nikki and briefly inquiring about her health, Bi was escorted to her room by Abhi.

“Mom, yeh Rahul aur Muskaan. Humaare saath hi kaam karte hain,” Nikki explained.

“Namaste, Aunty,” they both greeted her.

“Namaste, beta,” she replied. “Tum dono ke baare mein maine bohot sunaa hai. Actually, tum sabke baare mein. Nikki bohot baatein karti hai tum sab ki,” she said, smiling. Then, she turned to Riddhima and added, “Lekin sabse zyada Riddhima ke baare mein.”

Riddhima blushed and smiled at her consciously.

“Namaste, Aunty,” she greeted Vani. 

None of the gang had met Vani before, but that was not by choice. Abhi & Nikki had gotten married in a hurry when they were in Delhi to appease their parents and with everything going on with Sid, Riddhima and Atul had not been able to make it to the wedding. Muskaan had politely declined the invitation stating that she wouldn’t get leave. The others hadn’t even been in India then, so them attending had been out of the question. 

When Riddhima had spent time in Delhi with Billy & Annie, Vani Aunty had been out of the country, visiting some family, so they weren’t able to meet then either. 

But, Vani had always been really curious about Riddhima and had wanted to meet her desperately. She needed to meet the girl who had made Armaan fall in love, who had changed him so much. She had somehow even managed to make Billy & Ananya see the error in their ways and get back together! Nikki, and then Billy & Annie never stopped singing her praises. Even Abhi was exceptionally fond of her, and that was not something Vani took lightly. She was very well aware of the kind of person Abhi was, and it was really difficult to impress him, and so much more to actually be worthy of being called his friend. And, Riddhima had done that. The only other people Abhi talked so fondly of were his family. 

So, of course, she knew that Riddhima was someone special. And she really wanted to get to know the girl who had become so important for so many important people in her life - her daughter, her son - in - law, her closest friends, and mostly, her daughter’s best friend who she herself was incredibly fond of. But, she never had had an opportunity before today. Now that Riddhima was finally in front of her, she was really excited to get to know her.

Vani stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, surprising her. “Tumse finally milke bohot achcha laga, Riddhima,” she said. “Main toh uss din se tumse milna chaahti thi jiss din Nikki ne mujhe tumhaare aur Armaan ke baare mein bataya tha. Ab… Armaan ki choice kaisi hai, humein bhi toh pata chale, right?”

Riddhima ducked her head in embarrassment, not knowing what to say or do. Vani laughed at her reactions, pleased to see that Armaan’s fiance seemed to be an amazing girl. Turning to Armaan, she said, “Thank god! Tujhe pata hai, mujhe toh lagta tha pata nahi kaisi ladki uthake ghar le aayega. College ke samay jo sab tere aas paas mandraati thi, mujhe ek bhi pasand nahi thi. Lekin, Riddhima? Great choice! Achcha hua tu sudhar gaya, warna bechaari Annie ke ghar pata nahi kaisi bahu aati!” 

She might not know Riddhima well just yet, but one look was enough to let her know that Riddhima was a million times better than all of Armaan’s girlfriends in college. For now, that was enough. She was sure that in the coming days, she’d get to know the girl better and actually form an opinion based on her personality rather than her looks.

Everyone chuckled at that comment. “Vani Aunty,” Rahul said, “uss department mein toh aapko bilkul tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Annie Aunty aur Billy Uncle toh Riddhu se Armaan se bhi zyada pyaar karte hain.”

“Toh sahi haina. Ridzy iss idiot Armaan se itni better hai, toh usse hi zyada pyaar karenge na,” Nikki butt in.

“Don’t,” Riddhima warned Armaan, before he even opened his mouth.

“Ab maine kya kiya, yaar?” He pouted.

“Tum kya karne wale the yeh mujhe achchi tarah pata hai, Armaan,” Riddhima replied. “Maine kaha na. Nikki ke saath ladai nahi karoge tum.”

“WHAT THE!” He exclaimed. “Matlab woh kuch bhi bakwaas karti rahegi aur main baith ke sunnta rahu?”

“Haan,” Riddhima replied simply.

“Kyuuuuuu?” Armaan whined.

“Kyuki woh pregnant hai!” Riddhima scolded.

“Toh? Pregnant hi haina. Isme kaunsi badi baat hai? Pehle ladki toh hai nahi jo pregnant hui ho,” he dismissed.

“Armaan, jab Ridzy pregnant hogi na… toh main bhi tujhse yahi kahungi. Theek hai?” Muskaan added her two cents in, smirking widely.

Riddhima blushed at the blatant teasing. Armaan looked at Muskaan, stumped for a second before recovering. “Tab jo hoga dekhenge. Main abhi ki baat kar raha hu na.”

“Tune kab Abhi ki baat ki? Tu toh kabse Nikki se baat kar raha hai,” Rahul said, pulling an Atul. Irritating Armaan was always so much fun.

“Shut up, Rahul! Champ ki tarah behave mat kar,” Armaan answered. Nikki guffawed at that.

“Aur, tu!” Armaan turned to her. “Zyada khee - khee karne ki zaroorat nahi hai!”

“Armaan! Maine mana kiya na tumhe. Nikki ko pareshaan mat karo,” Riddhima told him.

“Basket, yaar!” Armaan whined, yet again.

“Shut up, Armaan. Aur main tumhe keh rahi hu. Nikki ko bilkul pareshaan nahi karna. Aur yeh baat maine as a friend nahi, uski doctor ke tarah ki hai. Agar tumne kuch bhi kiya na… toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Samjhe?” Riddhima lectured.

Armaan gulped but nodded.

“Achcha, baba. Theek hai ab. Jao sab jaake fresh ho jaao. Fir dinner karte hain,” Vani interrupted their banter.

They all agreed and Abhi showed Armaan & Rahul to one room while the girls used another. Armaan & Rahul had a scuffle about who would get to use the bathroom first, which Armaan won, even though he cheated a little. On the other hand, Riddhima graciously allowed Muskaan to use the bathroom first. Armaan was the first one to get ready. He came out just in time to see Atul take blessings from Bi. Anjali was already getting acquainted with Vani Aunty.

“Champ!” Armaan cried, pulling Atul into a hug.

“Armaan! Mere bhai! Kaisa hai tu, yaar?” Atul asked.

“Main toh ekdum mast hu. Tu bata, tu kaisa hai?” Armaan questioned.

“First class! Bas yaar, yeh Dr. Keerti na… Ek din sach mein meri jaan hi le legi! Tujhe pata hai… Hum Goa gaye the na… toh iss baat ka faayda uthaake meri landlady ne mere paudhon ko fir ghar se nikaal diya. Bohot mushkil se thode bachaake Sanjeevani le gaya, toh Dr. Keerti mujhse gussa ho gayi! 2 din mujhe double duty karni padi,” Atul lamented.

“It’s okay, Champ. Sabke saath hota hai. Lekin, yaar, ek baat bata… Tu ab bhi apni uss khadoos landlady ke paas kyu rehta hai? Apna ghar le le! Ab toh tu senior doctor hai, yaar!” Armaan asked, genuinely curious. He knew for a fact that in the past few years, Atul had saved a decent amount of money, enough to buy his own apartment in the city. 

Atul blushed and looked down. "Abhi nahi, yaar. Thoda aur save karlu. Phir."

Truth was, Atul wanted to save to buy a decent apartment, one in which he could bring Anjali home. Now that they were officially a couple, he couldn't see it going anywhere other than marriage. And, he wanted to give Anjali a nice home. It would be a few years, maybe a lot, before he could afford something as grand as the home she currently lived in, but the least he could do was buy a decent apartment that she wouldn't be uncomfortable in. 

Armaan, sensing that Atul didn't want to talk about it in front of the others, let it drop for the time being. He would just talk to Atul later. 

One by one, Muskaan, Rahul, and then Riddhima came out of their rooms and they all enjoyed a hearty dinner, full of laughter and conversation. Vani Aunty and Bi had a ton of anecdotes of Armaan & Nikki as kids, and even as teenagers, which left the others in splits and the duo embarrassed to the core. 

After dinner, she insisted that everyone just spend the night because it was already so late. After a little persuading, they all agreed, and so, the Modi House became the sight for one big sleepover. 

Once Vani Aunty & Bi had retired for the night, the gang assembled in the living room, ready to watch a movie because Muskaan was insisting that they hadn't had a movie night in so long and they deserved one. The next day was a Sunday and they were all off work, so, Abhi agreed, with the condition that it had better be a good movie. Which, he didn't think was supposed to be Dil Toh Pagal Hai. But then, could he ever talk over all the women, and Atul (who, surprisingly, wasn't supporting the choice just because of Anjali, but because he actually loved the movie)? As predicted, in the end, the girls won, and they decided to watch DTPH. 

"Waise, Nikki," Riddhima said, "woh… Rachana Aunty aur Sid aur Su nahi dikhe aaj."

"Haan. Woh actually, Rachana Chachi toh bas thode time ke liye aayi thi kyuki meri aur Abhi dono ki mom free nahi thi. You know, just to help out. But ab mom aa gayi, toh woh chali gayi. Thank God!" Nikki replied. 

It wasn't that she wasn't thankful for all the help. It was just that Rachana Chachi was very stifling and dominating and Nikki didn't like that. She had had a hard time adjusting during those few weeks that Rachana Chachi had been here and she was very relieved to see her go. 

"Oh," Riddhima replied. 

"Tu woh sab chod," Muskaan jumped in. "Humein kya? Chal na… Picture dekhte hain."

"Movie kaise dekhenge?" Anjy cribbed. "Popcorn toh hai hi nahi."

"Di! It's okay na," Riddhima told her. "Aaj adjust karlo. Please!"

Anjali looked at Riddhima in complete disbelief. She never watched a movie without popcorn. Ever. And Riddhima knew that. How could she say that? 

"Relax!" Nikki jumped in. "Popcorn banane padenge, but woh corn ghar pe hai. Main bana deti hu."

"Nikki, tu rehne de. Relax kar. Main bana deti hu," Riddhima said. 

"Arre, Riddhima. It's okay. Tum rehne do. Main bana lunga," Abhi joined the discussion. "Tum trip se thak gayi hogi." Saying so, he quickly left the room before Riddhima could protest. 

Once Abhi came back with the popcorn, Rahul started the movie and switched off the lights. All the couples cuddled up. Abhi & Nikki took the larger sofa with Nikki almost lying on it while Rahul & Muskaan and Atul & Anjali found place on the smaller sofas, leaving Armaan & Riddhima with the bean bag. Because of space restrictions, Armaan pulled Riddhima into his lap, resting his head on her shoulder. 

Nikki and Atul fell asleep halfway through the movie, followed quickly by Abhi, Rahul, and then Anjali. Sometime later, even Riddhima fell asleep. Armaan & Muskaan laughed at their friends and finished watching the movie, just the two of them. Once it was over, the two of them woke everyone up, with a little difficulty and everyone retired to their rooms for the night. 

The next morning, Riddhima came out to a flurry of excitement and jittery anticipation. 

"Hey! Kya ho raha hai?" She asked Anjali, Muskaan, Rahul, and Nikki, who were the only ones around.

"Ridzy, dad ka phone tha," Anjali said. "He said he wants you and Armaan to go ring shopping today."

"Kya?" Riddhima questioned, confused. "Kyu?"

"Obviously engagement ke liye, Riddhu," Rahul replied. 

"Haan… But… Abhi se? Abhi toh date bhi final nahi hui hai," Riddhima told them. 

"Oyye, Ridzy! Tu yeh sab humse nahi, Shashank Uncle se bol. Unhone kaha haina!" Muskaan added. 

"Haan, Ridzy. Aur waise bhi… Engagement toh honi hi haina. Toh rings kabhi bhi lo, kya farak padta hai?" Nikki asked her. 

"Nahi… Aisa kuch nahi hai. I'm just surprised," Riddhima replied. "Agar papa chaahte hain, toh hum aaj chale jaayenge. Waise bhi… Main toh ghar jaake sone wali thi. Kuch productive kaam hi ho jaayega."

The others laughed. Of course, Riddhima would never say no where Dr. Shashank was concerned. A fact that they were all very well aware of. 

"Good! Toh jaldi ready ho jao. Hum sab chalte hain shopping! We'll make a day out of it!" Anjali exclaimed. "It'll be so much fun!"

"Good morning!" Atul greeted everyone as he entered. 

"Morning!" Everyone chorussed. 

"Ridzy, please jaldi tayyar hoja. Aur dekh… Woh Armaan utha ya nahi. Please! Fir humein nikalna bhi hai," Anjali instructed. 

"Haan, Di," Riddhima replied. "Jaa rahi hu."

Riddhima knocked on the door to the room in which Armaan slept the night before, receiving no response. Frustrated, she opened the room to find it empty. 

"Armaan? Armaan?" She called softly as she stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. 

"Armaan? Kahaan ho tum?" She asked out loud again, just in time for Armaan to come out of the washroom and say, “Main yahaan hu!” as he wrapped her up in his arms.

“Good morning, Basket,” he greeted. 

Riddhima blushed as she felt his body pressed against hers. It most certainly did not help that he was not wearing a shirt. 

“Mo… Morning,” she replied.

“Toh… bataiye. Kya hukum hai, aaka? Aaj aapke liye kya kar sakta hai yeh ghulam?” He asked, all the while getting closer to nuzzle her neck to her ear to her jawline, making Riddhima weak in the knees. As she stumbled, he tightened his hold on her and pulled her closer, keeping her upright.

“Woh… Woh… Woh…” Riddhima tried, but was unable to say anything. After a couple of tries, she gave up and just enjoyed the feeling of Armaan so close to her. She didn’t even realise when she started responding to his touch by running her hands across his back, and then his stomach, her nails scraping his abs garnering a hiss from him as his face dug deeper into her neck. She nuzzled her face in his neck and started placing kisses on his neck and jaw, reaching up to kiss him. Armaan kissed her ardently, dominating the kiss. He pushed her back till she was caged between him and the wall and lifted her up, making her wrap her legs around his waist, bringing them so much closer. 

However, before things could go further, a loud banging pulled them apart. "Main 10 tak ginnke andar aa raha hu!" Rahul's voice shouted from the other end. "Toh please… Izzatdaar logon ki tarah dikhna!"

He'd come to check on them because he knew how dangerous it was to leave the two of them alone for along, especially in the mornings. He'd noticed how Armaan seemed to be exceptionally affectionate for a few hours every morning before mellowing down just a smidge. 

Armaan & Riddhima looked at each other, alarmed as Rahul began counting down. Armaan pulled away and Riddhima hopped down from his body, both of them a little breathless. He quickly put on a tee that he'd set out earlier and was lying on the bed while Riddhima ran a hand through her hair to make it less of a mess and adjusted her kurti. She looked back at Armaan and he nodded, indicating that he was decent. So, she hurried and opened the door, just as Rahul hit 8.

"Good morning," he greeted, his face set in a smug smirk. 

Riddhima blushed a deep red and looked down. Rahul shook his head and stepped inside the room to see Armaan setting his hair in front of the mirror. He looked at the couple so intent on looking anywhere except each other and couldn't help but laugh.

"Ho gaya tumhaara?" He asked. 

"Kya hona tha?" Armaan asked, looking Rahul straight in the eye as if he hadn't been kissing the life out of Riddhima when he'd banged on the door. 

"Jo bhi kar rahe the," Rahul added. 

"Kya? Kya kar rahe the?" Armaan questioned. 

"I hope Riddhu tujhe yeh bata rahi thi ki abhi breakfast ke baad shopping jaa rahe hain kyuki Shashank Uncle ne tum dono ko aaj hi rings khareedne kaha hai," Rahul answered. 

"What?!" Armaan exclaimed, extremely shocked. 

"Kyu?" Rahul asked, a shit eating grin on his face. "Riddhu ne bataya nahi tujhe?"

"Rahul… Dekh… Abhi yeh sab timepass mat kar. Hum ring shopping jaa rahe hain!?" Armaan replied, getting worked up. He couldn't believe this was happening. It made the engagement so much more real. On one hand, he was so happy that Riddhima would finally, officially become his fiancee, but at the same time, he was feeling a little overwhelmed. 

Rahul, sensing his distress, just nodded. "Haan," he said. "Aur sab tum dono ke liye wait kar rahe hain. Jaldi aa jao. Main bahaar rukaa hu."

He moved out of the room after giving Riddhima's shoulder a comforting squeeze. 

"Armaan? Kya hua?" Riddhima asked, taking his hand in hers and sitting on the bed, making him sit as well. 

"Kuch nahi, Jaan. Woh bas… Aise achanak Papa ne keh diya. I'm a little surprised," Armaan replied. 

"Armaan… Agar tum ready nahi ho toh hum wait kar sakte hain," Riddhima told him, even though she wasn't sure if she wanted to. Armaan had proposed to her. She took that as a sign that he was ready to move forward. 

"No way!" Armaan rebuked immediately. "Paagal ho kya! Kuch postpone nahi hoga. Waise bhi, mera bas chale toh yahin, abhi tumse engagement kar lu."

"Are you sure?" She asked skeptically. 

"Haan, Riddhima," he replied confidently, pulling her into a hug. "Main bas ek second ke liye chaunk gaya tha. Aur kuch nahi."

"Hmmm," Riddhima replied half heartedly. She was not convinced. She agreed that even she'd gotten a little shocked when Anjali had so casually dropped the bomb to her, but she didn't want Armaan to regret anything later. 

Sensing her distress, Armaan tried to cheer her up. "Achcha batao, tumhe kaisi ring chahiye?"

"Mujhe?" Riddhima asked. 

Armaan nodded. 

"Mujhe kyu koi ring chahiye hogi? Mere paas hai toh!" She answered showing him the ring he'd proposed with. 

"Basket, that's not your engagement ring. That's your proposal ring. Engagement ring toh alag hogi na," Armaan replied. 

"Yeh bhi toh hai," Riddhima countered, showing him the diamond adorning her right hand. The ring he'd given to her before the shoot-out. "Tum isse hi waapas pehna dena."

Armaan immediately shook his head vigourously. "Nahi, Riddhima. Yeh… Yeh ring nahi. Hum tumhaare liye nayi ring lenge."

"Armaan? Kya hua?" Riddhima asked him, seeing how his mood had changed instantly on seeing the old ring. 

"Jaan," Armaan said, taking her hands in his. "Main… Main nahi chaahta ki… Tum… Main nahi chaahta ki tum ab yeh ring pehno." 

"Lekin… Armaan…" Riddhima looked at him, surprised. Why wouldn't she wear it? It was the ring Armaan had given to her before everything had went to shit. It meant a lot to her. 

"Please. Basket… Iss ring se… Yeh… Sirf… Isse sirf buri yaadein yaad aati hain. Itne time tak maine kuch nahi kaha, but ab jab tumhaare paas doosri ring hai… Please, isse pehenna band kardo. Please?" He requested. 

"Armaan… Yeh… Yeh ring… Yeh ring mere liye bohot important hai. Main isse nahi chod sakti," Riddhima told him truthfully. 

"Maine aisa toh nahi kaha, Jaan. Main bas… Main yeh chaahta hu… Ki yeh ring tumhaari engagement ring na ho. Hum… Hum tumhaare liye doosri ring lenge. Aur yeh… Well… Jab… I guess… I mean… We can pass it on. Like a family heirloom," he told her. 

"Armaan…" Riddhima trailed off, not knowing what to say. She held his cheek and he leaned into her touch, holding her hand with his. 

"Please, Basket," he pleaded. 

Riddhima sighed, but nodded. "Theek hai, Armaan. Main samajhti hu. Jis din tumne yeh ring mujhe pehnayi thi… Aur uske baad jo bhi hua… Bohot buri yaadein hain. Lekin… Main abhi nahi utaarungi. Engagement ke baad, jab tum mujhe doosri ring pehna doge… Phir hi isse utaarungi."

This was important to her. This ring signified their promise to each other. And she'd held on to it as a reminder of their love. She couldn't let it go so easily. 

"Okay," Armaan replied. 

"I love you," Riddhima told him. 

"I love you," Armaan answered. 

They both smiled at each other and Armaan hugged her again, kissing her forehead. 

----------------------------

"Okay, guys. Main pehle hi bata du. Jewelry shop mein sirf main aur Riddhima jaayenge," Armaan told them as they entered the mall. "Tum sab baaki jo karna chaahte ho karte rehna."

"Hawwww!" The girls exclaimed in unison. Muskaan swatted Armaan's arm. "Kameene! Isliye aaye hain hum? Taaki hum idhar udhar ghoomein? Ring lene aaye haina. Toh ring lene hi jaayenge."

"Sorry," Armaan replied. "Tum koi bhi abhi allowed nahi ho. Main aur Riddhima hi ring dekhenge. Tum sab engagement waale din dekhne lena."

"Armaan, yaar, yeh toh cheating hai!" Atul complained. 

"Haan, Armaan! Main itna excite hoke, sirf teri ring lene aayi hu. Aur tu itna attitude de raha hai!" Nikki whined. 

"Armaan, this is not fair. Meri behen ki engagement hai, yaar! I deserve to see the ring," Anjali demanded. 

"Tum log jo bolna chaahte ho, bol do. Main kisi ko apne saath leke nahi jaaunga. Aur agar tum nahi maane, toh aaj hum bina ring liye hi chale jaayenge. Phir Papa ko explain tum sab karna. Okay?" Armaan instructed. 

The gang looked at each other, miffed. They knew he had them. None of them wanted to be the one to tell Dr. Shashank that Armaan & Riddhima didn't buy the rings because of them. 

"Achcha. Theek hai, theek hai. Hum… Hum kuch aur kar lenge," Rahul spoke for all of them. "Tum dono bas humein 2 ghante mein food court pe milna."

"Done!" Armaan exclaimed happily. 

"Bye!!" He called out as he took Riddhima's hand in his and toted her away from the others. 

"Armaan!" Riddhima scolded. "Aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Kya hota agar woh log bhi aa jaate?" 

"Tum paagal ho kya, Basket? Main nahi chaahta ki engagement se pehle koi bhi rings dekhe, okay? Bas hum, aur agar Mumma aur Papa dekhna chaahein toh. Bas. Aur koi nahi. Kisi aur ki engagement nahi hai. Humaari hai," he told her. 

"Tumse behes karke main apna mood nahi kharab karna chaahti," she replied. 

"Good," Armaan said. "Toh chalo."

They entered a jeweler's showroom and were promptly attended to. The staff turned out to be very helpful, and after an hour and a half, Armaan & Riddhima had successfully bought each other engagement rings that they both loved. 

They joined the others after leaving the showroom, and they shopped for a couple of hours after eating lunch at the mall's food court before Abhi deemed that they'd been out for a long time and should be getting home. 

But, instead of taking them home, Abhi drove them all to a banquet hall. And not just any hall. It was the hall that Armaan & Riddhima had decided to have the engagement at. 

"Hum… Hum yahaan kyu aaye hain?" They both asked in unison. 

"BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTING ENGAGED TONIGHT!" The rest of the gang exclaimed with huge smiles on their faces. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HOLY CLIFFIE! HAHAHAHAHAHA! I KNOW I'M EVIL. SORRY NOT SORRY.

I hope y'all like this one though. It was soooooooo long! So, yeah.

Finally...... ar getting engaged yeah...

😔But aisa beechme kyu chod diya